CLINTON - Rescue teams searching for a missing 8-year-old boy in the waters below a spillway at Clinton Lake were given their first encouraging news Sunday as search dogs indicated possible sites the child's body may be located.

"We're feeling hopeful, based upon some of the dog's alerts," said Capt. Mary Jo Tucker of the Effingham K-9 Search and Rescue Team.

Four dogs specially trained to recover bodies from water arrived at the spillway Sunday afternoon to assist in the fourth full day of searching for Kalin Hunter of Normal.

The child was with his grandfather, Richard Hunter, and uncle, Jason Hunter, when their boat went over the lake spillway into Salt Creek during a rainstorm Wednesday night.

The bodies of the two men were recovered Thursday.

Tucker declined to answer questions about specific locations the dogs indicated where the boy's body may be found. She said state conservation police will focus their search on those areas.

Prior to the arrival of the K-9 team, a dive team from Decatur was at the spillway but did not enter the water because it was determined to be too dangerous, according to conservation officer Kim Knight. The 13 feet of water at the base of the spillway contains miles of fishing line and other debris.

The search dogs were taken one at a time out on boats. Rescue workers slowed the boats when the dogs seemed interested in certain locations along the spillway and shallower waters of the creek.

"Our whole goal is to bring closure for the family," said the leader of the volunteer K-9 unit.

The search is to resume this morning.

Edith Brady-Lunny can be reached at eblunny@pantagraph.com